CAPE TOWN - President Jacob Zuma has been urged to formally appoint an interim board for the SABC as soon as possible.

The National Assembly on Wednesday unanimously endorsed five candidates, with former Business Unity South Africa CEO Khanyisa Kweyima as chairperson and veteran journalist Mathatha Tsedu as her deputy.

The United Democratic Movement’s Nqabayomzi Kwankwa says the interim board of the SABC has a mammoth task ahead.

“The interim board has its work cut out for it. It has to restore the credibility of the SABC, oversee the management and ensure good governance at the SABC. It also has to ensure that at its upper echelons are not mindless but deliberate.”

The Democratic Alliance’s Phumzile van Damme says a probe should be launched into Hlaudi Motsoeneng.

“The first order of business is to conduct an inquiry into Mr Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s fitness to hold office. It is high time the SABC was rid of that cancer.”

The National Freedom Party’s Nhlanhla Khubisa says it hopes the new board will serve citizens.

“We believe that the new board will operate in a non-partisan manner, ensure that the SABC serves the masses of our people and will be credible and independent.”